Louisiana Tech, just like its opponent in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, lost a ton of talent from its 2015 football team.
Heading the list of departures were two of the best players in recent program history — running back Kenneth Dixon and defensive tackle Vernon Butler. Dixon, who rushed for 4,483 yards and 72 touchdowns during his prolific college career, was a fourth round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens. Butler, a 6-foot-4, 324-pound run stuffer, was a first round choice of the Carolina Panthers.